Novartis currently employ more then 600 people at their manufacturing base in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, ethical pharmaceutical division in Dublin and its operation in Waterford.

It is understood however that most of the Irish jobs will be saved although the company refused to give specific details.

In a statement released this past week Novartis said it is considering the implications for Novartis in Ireland and Britain. “Novartis has a wide range of businesses operating in the UK and Ireland, which include research and development, commercial functions and manufacturing. Like any international company, Novartis continuously reviews its operational capacity and business models to remain competitive in the UK and international marketplace.”

The job cuts amount to 2.5% of Novartis’ global workforce and they are expected to bring annual savings of $1.6 billion (€1bn) by 2010, the Basel, Switzerland-based company said yesterday. In October, Novartis announced plans to cut more than 1,200 marketing and sales posts in the US in a move that is expected to save the company $230m.

Also this year the pharmaceutical company was instructed by the Irish Labour Court to increase worker pay scales at its Cork facility up to a maximum of €49,350. Globally Novartis’s sales rose 9% in the third quarter, 1% lower than the previous quarter and less than half the rate at the start of the year.

Chief executive Daniel Vasella said, “We have taken the opportunity given the short-term down-cycle in our pharmaceuticals business to initiate this project. This will simplify our organisation and redesign the way we operate”.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment